Vocab 5“…Poets, priests, and politiciansHave words to thank for their positions…”

Extol

V. To praise highlyThe salesman extolled the virtues of the cleaning solution: it seemed to do everything except make coffee in the morning!

Fervor

N. Intensity of emotionRomario always shows such fervor when coming to language arts that I have to tell him to calm down.

Nuance

N. Subtle or slight degree of differencePeople who are knowledgeable about weather see the nuances between PCB and Destin, but I’m just happy to be at any beach!

Plaintively

Adv. In a sad, pleading mannerRichielle asked for a new car so plaintively that her parents almost felt bad saying no…

Strident

Adj. Loud; harsh sounding Foreceful in a controversial

opinionShe became more agitated with her unfaithful husband, and her voice became first shrill then strident as she delivered her tirade.

Agape

Adj. Wide open (esp. mouth); surprisedMarlon was left with his mouth agape when the Democrat made a cogent point in the debate.

Gesticulate

V. To say or express by gesturesAsia gesticulates so much when she talks that I wonder if she’d be mute if we held her arms down…

Catharsis

N. Release of emotional tensionUnless you experience a catharsis, you’ll keep all those emotions bottled up, and that’s not healthy.

Exhort

V. To make an urgent appealThe listeners were exhorted to pledge NOW in any amount so the station could meet their pledge quota.

Impunity

N. Exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm

Abel thought he could be tardy with impunity, but I wrote him up.

DecorousAdj. Correct and polite; in good taste

NexusN. Core or center

ImbibedN. Drank (liquid); taken in (as knowledge)

EmissaryN. Messenger; ambassador; harbinger

EvocationN. Calling forth

SunderingV. Breaking into parts

FurtiveAdj. Secret; stealthy

IntonedV. Uttered in a singing tone or a monotone

SloughV. To cast off or shed

FaçadeN. The front of a building; a false face.